Week 8

Monday 20th
Went to see a lawyer in preparation for buying a house (when ours completes maybe this Friday)
Queued for over 2 hours at a ticket outlet for the quarter-final super 15 rugby match, to be held in Nelson on saturday eve. The computers went down so that is why it took so long. As we waited the staff of the place gave us all water, crisps, sweets. A coffee shop  waiter from next door ,came in and took orders. The time passed quickly as we enjoyed the chat with Vern and a couple of other kiwis we had never seen before but, felt like life-long friends by the time we all got to the front of the queue. Needless to say we knew a few people they knew (just like N.Ire).
I went for a run in late afternoon, along the sea front, watching the sun go down.

Tuesday
Went for a cycle in the morning then off to'work' at Sport tasman

Wednesday
Cycled in the morning, then sat at the wharf in the sun for a coffee.
Found out that our house would not be handed over this week (admin mistake). Will have to wait a bit longer (next week hopefully)
Afternoon, did some work for sport Tasman from the house and applied for a job.

Thursday
Lisa and I were on a Treaty course all day. It was an excellent course and we now have a greater understanding of the treaty and the history of NZ as well as the importance of the treaty for today and the future.

Friday
Went for swim in the morning.
Afternoon went and viewed 3 houses
Evening, went to a hangi at a local primary school. A hangi is a traditional way of cooking food in the ground. A large hole with hot rocks, potatoes and meat (pork thi time) put in large baking tins and covered with earth. Left for 7 or 8 hours and then delish tender food comes out. It was a celebration for the Maori new year.

Saturday
Got my hair cut ( a bit short).
Afternoon - Our first bike race. The first of the winter series. It was about 70km long. Lisa and I went in the E grade with about 20 others. Lisa won (it was a sprint finish with a photo finish) and I came a distant 7th.
Evening - Off to the rugby match. Great atmosphere in the local stadium that has lots of temporary seats put in, in preparation for the world cup matches being held here. Our team (Crusaders) won. Lots of all blacks play for the team, so it was good to watch fast rugby (but still not as fast as netball !!)
Got home happy but very tired ( Lisa exhausted).

Sunday
Up early to skype the Welshs and mum.
Due to sore legs we take it easy and go for a walk along the beach (a sunny, calm day).
Afternoon - wearing shorts and t shirts (and gumboots) we help Roger and Adele with cutting and pruning the trees and bushes around our cottage.
Evening - Go next door for dinner and watch 'Doubt ' on TV

A lovely day and a great NZ weekend

Week 7

Monday 13^th June

A gentle start to the week with an easy cycle which included a stop at the Wharfside for our usual trim flat whites. It was a calm sunny day so we sat outside and watched the (very srtong) tide go out. In the afternoon we headed into Richmond to see a planner at Tasman District Council. We wanted to check out what you could or couldn’t do with a property we might want to buy. She was very helpful and she gave us lots of useful information. We then went to Rabbit Island on the way home and went for a walk along the beach. There were about six other people on the beach.

Tuesday

Went into Tasman Sport to work.  Almost did a full day….need to be more careful in future!!! In the evening I put some more photos on flickr and wrote my blog.  A very productive day

Wednesday

Did a hard bike ride in the morning, with lots of hills. It was cool in the morning but then became  mild and sunny later in the day, so wore shorts and  t shirt in the afternoon (less than a week away from mid- winter). We then went to see a house in the afternoon. I think we get withdrawal symptoms if we don’t view a house at least once a week.

Thursday

Had a coffee with Lisa at the wharf, before going in to work. Another busy day at the office. Today I was chasing up sports clubs who are organising events for the masters games but who haven’t collected any promotional material yet.

On the way home I stopped at Rabbit island and went for an hours run on the beach. This time I didn’t meet anyone else on the beach. It was quite mild with some sunshine and if it was a day like that along the north coast, Portstewart Strand would be busy.

Friday

An almost cold start to the day. We met up with Tasman Wheelers for the coffee ride. They thought it was too cold to go up onto higher ground so we stayed by the coast. We ended up going through Rabbit island (my third visit this week). When we got to the road by the beach on the island everyone just stopped. We all just admired the beauty of the sea and the beach and the general peacefulness of the location. Sometimes there is a need to put your head down and work hard on a bike, other times it is beneficial to enjoy your surroundings.

Lisa spent the afternoon chopping wood for the fire. We then went to the wharf for the NZ tradition of a Friday evening drink.

Saturday

Heavy or very heavy rain all day.  I saw an ad for a pair of second hand gumboots (weillies) in the paper, so I had arranged to call in to try them for size. When we got to the house no one was in but the gumboots were left with a note for me to try them on. They were my size and were like new, so for $10 (£5) they were a bargain as they cost $75 new. My last Huntress weillies were 30 years old and they didn’t get packed. They are now retired from use and are the centrepieces of Regis’s floral arrangements (probably not all the time). I think my new Skellerup gumboots will last 30 years, but I might stretch them out for a bit longer if need be! I almost needed to use the gumboots to do the shopping and go to the library, but I don’t feel native enough to carry that look off. I did however count several pairs of gumboots being worn in the supermarket.

Sunday

After a night of torrential rain and storms, we were glad to see some dry weather by morning. We went for our compulsory trim flat white at the wharf. Many others were doing the same. After lunch we then headed off on the mountain bikes. We explored some unsealed roads nearby and found some long steep hills. Landslips had closed one of the main roads and we saw lots of smaller landslips as a result of yesterdays weather.

We got back before it started to rain. Lisa then did some homework and I applied for a job.

Another busy week over.

THIS WEEK’S NEWS

This week the media is hyping up mid-winter. I think as a marketing opportunity they are promoting mid- winter Christmas !!!! The 25^th June is winter xmas. Bars/restaurants are advertising events and are taking group bookings. TV ads have snow, snowmen and ho ho ho sounds. I am not a big fan of Christmas so I hope I haven’t ended up in a country which promotes it twice a year. From what I remember from before, they are too busy enjoying the summer in December, to get too involved in the Christmas thing. In June we have short days and we are in our houses for longer so we are at the mercy of the marketing campaigns. At least it seems to be targeted at adults so there are no toy ads. I will watch with interest next week how it builds up to the 25^th. I’m not sure yet how we will ‘celebrate’.

We are also having a James Nesbitt onslaught (as if Christmas wasn’t bad enough). He was interviewed on TV last week as he is living in Wellington for a year. He is playing the part of a hobbit in the hobbit film they are making. He then  featured in the film on Sunday night TV (Five minutes of heaven). I fear that as NZ TV is several years behind, and buys a lot of UK TV programmes, we are about to relive the glory years of James Nesbitt, appearing in every other drama. He was not the only Northern Ireland TV ‘personality’ on TV, as the news programme reported on a cow from N Ire that has become an internet hit as she has been videoed letting herself out of her pen, buy undoing the bolts with her tongue. 

What a week…… Christmas hype, James Nesbitt and a cow…that is what they would call a mighty triple ‘combo’ in these parts !!

Week 6

Monday 6^th June was a public holiday. We met a classmate of Lisa’s in Nelson and cycled around the port and marina. It was a bit overcast with some rain, but mild (16°C)

Tuesday 7^th We went to the swimming pool in Richmond in the morning. The centre was a hive of activity with little rippers doing all sorts of aquatic activities. Due to the facilities, we can get on with swimming without any ripper interruptions. A quick spell in the spa pool and sauna, then we headed off to the library. More job application stuff and then we came back to Mapua and went for a walk on the beach.

Wednesday 8^th First day volunteering  at Sport Tasman. Only an introduction session so stayed from 11am to 1pm. Collected the mountain bikes from the shop on my way home, as the first two services are included as part of the deal. The shop is one of about eight bike shops I have counted in an area which has about 90,000 people. Not a bad ratio and there are probably others I don’t know about!  In the evening I watch paint dry, otherwise known as uploading photos onto the flickr website.

Thursday 9^th In the afternoon we went out on the bikes and did a new route. It was beautiful and it followed the Motueka valley for some of the way. The scenery is very dramatic with large mountain ranges in the background. Large rivers, river valleys and pancake flat plains with orchards or vineyards. The scenery changes with every corner you go around. It also means the cycle routes can include lots of climbing and/or really flat roads.  In the evening we took possession of the rugby world cup tickets !! we see that the price of the ticket includes the ‘free’ use of public transport  to get you to and from the stadium. We need to book flights to Auckland and sort out accommodation.

We then watched our first netball match, live on TV. It was a revelation. It was very fast and exciting and was played in front of a crowd of about 8000. OK it was the Silver ferns playing the diamonds (Austalia)) . The ferns narrowly lost, and we cant wait to see the return match at the weekend. We are now netball fans and I never thought I would say that!

Friday 10^th I went for a quick swim before going to work at Sport Tasman. A good day for going to work as it rained all day (temps still mild, probably just like a wet summer’s day in Portrush).

The main TV news each evening is at 6pm. It is one hour long and includes several lengthy weather reports as well as many sports reports.  That is my perfect combination. This evening I counted six different sports being reported on. There are as many female sportspeople reported on as males. There is so much more equality, to the extent the often say men’s football, not assuming we will automatically think it is men they will be reporting. The same thing happens in the press. It is also noticeable that the reporters who interview the athletes, ask the women the same type of questions they would ask the men. There is no Chris Hollins asking a female some flippant question he would never dream of asking a guy. Perhaps this is just another reason why, a country with only 4 million people produce so many world class athletes in so many sports.

Saturday 11^th I went for a run around Ruby bay and Mapua and Lisa went out for a cycle. In the afternoon we went for a drive to find the infamous Takaka Hill. It is the only category one ‘hill’ in NZ so we thought we would better take a look before we would try to cycle up it. It turned out to be a monster of a mountain with a climb that goes on for over 9km, some of which is steep. It looked so much harder than any Spanish route we had ever done, but Lisa is a veteran of the French Alps and she thought she had done worse!  We stopped at a lookout point, which was a platform that sits out high above a valley. Breath-taking view. It would be a ‘breath-taking’ and leg-breaking climb if you  cycle up here. We drove home a decided we would attempt it some day, date not yet specified!

In the evening we went to see the film Catfish in the little Gecko cinema. We sat in our usual sofa and had our usual hot chocolate. Four other people were also there and we all enjoyed the film. A great film, should be watched by anyone who uses facebook !

Sunday 12^th after a few cloudy days, it was great to waken up to a sunny morning.  It was sunny but cool. We waited for it to warm up, so went to the Wharfside for coffee.  Lots of little rippers turned up with their parents to fish on the wharf. Lots of small children, with small fishing rods, all catching each other’s lines as they stood shoulder to shoulder. We got bored watching them and many of them got bored fishing.

It warmed up to about 13°C, so we headed off on another new route. The Neurdorf road was beautiful, surrounded by hobbit like rolling hills, with trees still showing autumn colours. The route included quite a bit of climbing and we were quite tired when we got home, but it is a route I think we will use a lot.

The big news this week was the death of Shrek. Shrek was a large Merino sheep, who enjoyed national celebrity status.  He had fans all over Asia. He had avoided capture for years and lived in a cave. He then was caught and somehow turned into a household name. When he was shorn, it was televised live and it got over 1 million viewers including viewers in Japan! A day or two later other stories were reported that Shrek would continue to release more children’s books…. special powers indeed. Shrek is also going to be stuffed, but I’m not sure if that will happen before or after he writes his next book!

Week 5

Monday 30^th May

The week started with a skype call to the Connell  household (including mum). Then went to the aquacentre in Richmond  for a swim. Spent about 4 hours in the library, putting together  a job application. I went and did some gracery shopping while Lisa finished off her CV. Just as I was leaving the supermarket I noticed I had a text message to say that a rare white heron was being released at Mapua wharf at 4.30. I quickly collected Lisa from the library and got to Mapua with a minute to spare. The press where there and so where a lot of seagulls, who weren’t impressed with the new arrival. It was being released here because it was eating prize goldfish from a pond in a nearby town. It was also going to replace a heron called Hamish who, for the first time in 18 years had not returned to Mapua for the winter. The new heron however winged it back to the other town. I don’t know what has now happened to him/her.

Tuesday – Went to a job consultancy company, who charged me money to tell me I was doing everything right and make a few minor changes to my CV! – easy money for them.

Viewed a house that was for sale on Trade Me( a bit like ebay, specific to NZ). Later in the afternoon went out on my bike and did a ‘proper’ training session.

In the evening we went to the Mapua and District Business Association AGM. It was very interesting and welcoming. There were at least 50 people there and at least half of them were really switched on, competent females. There was a very positive feel about what they want to achieve in the next year and beyond.

Wednesday 1^st June – Officially the first day of winter  Sunny, no wind and approx 16 – 18 °C

Wharfside Restaurant & bar

Another view of the area around the wharf

A winter view around the local estuary

Had a coffee at Wharfside before going for a cycle (another proper training session, only this time longer and harder) Lisa stayed at home and did her homework for her class tonight.

In the evening Lisa went to class and I wrote up last weeks blog.

Thursday 2^nd June  Sunny and warm

In the afternoon I met the events manager from a local sports trust. I sent her an email last week, asking about the possibility of getting some work experience with them.  We discussed some options and we agreed that I would do a couple of half days as a volunteer, helping out in her office. I start next Wednesday.

Friday 3^rd June - a bit overcast and much cooler, 9°C.

The start of a long weekend as they get Monday as a holiday to ‘celebrate’ the Queen’s  birthday ! There is an even more important holiday TODAY...Lisa’s 40^th

Lisa's birthday lunch (complete with candles!)

The day started with our coffee ride with Tasman Wheelers. We then went for a late leisurely, lunch at the Apple Shed at the wharf.  We then went to Motueka, where we went into a large shop  called Warehouse, which we had passed a few times. It turned out to be a shop which is a cross between Lidls, Woolworths (that brand still exists here, but no shops)B&Q  plus more. You could buy everything from a pint of milk to a surf board, live bait or any household item.  We dragged ourselves away, knowing that it was the first visit of many. We were very restrained and came away with a CD. I noticed there top 20 CDs. The royal wedding is at number 16 and at number 17 is......Daniel O’Donnell.  We bought neither (tempting as it was).

In the evening we were joined by Adele and Roger from next door and had a few glasses of NZ bubbly, while listening to our new (and at the minute our only) CD. The CD is Adele 19 (just to clarify that we didn’t buy Daniel. If they sell his CDs here I wonder does he ever come here ? The answer to that question  I can live without.

Saturday 4th June

The day started wet and got wetter (but nothing like last week’s storms). We went to Richmond to use the internet as the hub in the house is broken and won’t be replaced until next week. We then went and viewed a house.  We had never visited the library on a Saturday...it was packed with adults and children, some  where having coffee and a chat and some where even looking at books!

We have decided we need to buy gumboots as we are now in winter mode and they are a must in these parts (including in town, cafes and anywhere else).

Sunday 5^th June wet dull and mild

I have a head cold so not bothered about the weather. We had coffee at the wharf and read the weekend papers. I say weekend as they come out on a Saturday but have both Saturday and Sunday’s date on them, so no separate Sunday news.

In the evening we finished off Lisa’s weekend birthday with a trip to Nelson in the evening to go to a Thai restaurant which had been recommended. It was good, portions were huge and the place was packed.  They still allow you to take home your leftovers, so went away with enough for a second meal.

This weeks vocab lesson.....

Little rippers = small children

Flick over = what you do when you send someone information via email

Sweet as = said when agreeing on an arrangement, eg “can I get my hair cut at 2pm?” answer “yis, sweet as” or used to replace OK

This week in the press.......

Hard to follow last week’s story, but I have become fascinated with the lost and found adds. This week one of the found adds was....Sheep. It said that they had wandered onto someone’s property and if they were not claimed they would be ‘either sold or go into the freezer’.

Week 4

Started the week with business stuff, ie apply for a job, get car insurance and contents insurance. Insurance for the car is cheap because there is no litigation to speak of as everyone pays into a government insurance which is what pays out if you have an accident.
We got offered rugby world cup tickets, through a friend of a friend. We have reserved tickets for the Australia v Ireland  game in Auckland. Our Irish rugby shirts are in transit, so all we need to to is book flights to Auckland.
In the afternoon we went over to Judith's and had a walk around her farm. She breeds black sheep and they were very friendly. Unlike Rupert the Alpaca ! He came over to see us and Lisa looked into his lovely big brown eyes. Then he started to hiss and spit......we kept our distance. Then Judith tells us not to look them in the eye or put your hand out infront of you because he sees it as a challenge !! Alpacas will not feature in our future home.
On tuesday the weather continues to be coolish and a bit overcast. We went to Richmond to use the library and bought a printer to get our CVs printed etc. In the afternoon we went for a cycle.
Wednesday - We used the pool at Richmond for the first time. A complex with a pool that always has lanes for proper swimming, hydro pools, spa pools, kiddie pools, a wave pool (you can surf in it) and infra red saunas. It costs £3 per visit and you can use as many facilities as you like.
We then collected our new car. It is starting to feel more real as we get into all the everyday stuff.

Our new car !!!!!!
The average age of cars in the Nelson region is 14.3 years, one of the oldest in NZ. This is partly due to the kind weather and the fact that nobody is bothered what car you drive. Car type does not equal bank balance, more likely lifestyle.
In the evening Lisa went to her business class.
By evening the most extreme rain had started to fall. It continued all through the night and it made the national news the next morning. There was flooding and some people were evacuated from their homes. May has since been declared the wettest on record.
Thursday -  Went for a run around Mapua then went to library and applied for another job.
Fiday - cycled with Tasman wheelers. The weather is sunny and mild again. In the afternoon had a drive around some other parts of the area. Some great views (will see about posting all the photos on another site)
Sat - went to nelson market in the morning. Bought some veg of enormous proportions. A leek was the same size of my arm and cost 50p. In the afternoon we went on a trail using the mountain bikes. We followed one of the roads I run along and then it went off road. Great views again.

A typical view looking across the rolling inland hills of the Ruby Bay area. The tasman sea is in the background.
Sunday 6.15 AM alarm goes off...Champions league....being shown in one of the local pubs. We go down for kick off, with about 20 others. We get a cooked breakfast at half-time. watch a couple of goals go in at the wrong end and go home. Then off we go on our bikes for a long (and hilly )ride. Get home 3.5 hours later. with tired legs we then go to have a look at a  local house that has an open viewing. we crash into be that night early as we have a skype appointment with mum and the connells in the morning.

What have I learnt this week ?
Weather is a big news topic. the evening news spends a good 5 mins going over the weather we have had as well as a forecast. The newspapers dedicate at least two thirds of a page to weather info, including isobar maps, stats, tides, winds, all sorts...its great.
New vocab this week
pikelet = pancake
stubies = boxer shorts
judder bar = speed ramp

The local daily newspaper carries lots of lost and found adds. the nelson airport puts a found add in every week, with the smallest of items listed.
A news item caught my eye this week 'Compressed air inflates man'.... a truck driver fell onto a compressed air pipe, it stuck into his buttock and it started to pump air into his body. He said he thought he was going to explode from his foot! " In a matter of minutes my body had gone to twice its size"  ( but his mother said he tripled in size!)When the paramedics tried to put a drip in, his body spat out the needle. He survived but the article didn't say how they got the air out.
We used to have a scap book of rediculous stories or letters from the Coleriane Chronicle ,which we will use if we ever forget why we left. I think we have just found our first cutting for the Nelson Mail scrapbook!!